1970's Party

Saturday night was the 1970's party, it was both fun and a little disappointing. Disappointing because we were the only ones in my husband's family apart from the birthday boy who bothered dressing up. His friends made the effort to dress up, there was Sonny and Cher, Princess Leia and Peter Cris along with our Skipper and Gilligan. I didn't dress up as anyone in particular, but wore a maxi dress, long vest, wig and hairband. I did end up as Peter Cris' Groupie.

I really enjoyed myself spent most of the night with my brother-in-law and his friends, the rest of the family including my husband sat around the backyard, while we all danced and sang inside the house.

Next year will be my husband's 5oth and we will be having a party - really have to start planning, getting the yard ready etc. Don't know whether we will go with a theme yet, I told him that for my birthday I would like a Jane Austin party, but mine is in the middle of summer and I think most of the men will end up looking like Mr Darcy after his swim - which may not be a bad thing LOL. I still have several years to plan for that.

Overkill?

My husband usually drives his work van but today he had to use my car. I laid claim to being able to call it MINE due to the fact that I was the first to drive it, his claim that the rego in his name, the loan is in his name and his personalised plates are on it just doesn't hold water. She's mine and I named her Lucy.

He had to use her as he was asked to pick up a couple of the players, there are only 3 seats in the van. I made him cover the seats with towels and the carpet with garbage bags as I didn't want grubby, sweaty teenagers and their soccer boots soiling her clean interior.

She already needs a vacuum, there's some dried grass on the floor of the driver and passenger side, husband asked me who I had in the passenger side, blaming me of course - pointed out that he has been the only one to drive with passengers so far. Checked her first thing in the morning and used the hose to spray off bird poop easy to do while the car was covered in dew, better than leaving it to dry. Apparently husband did it too. Last night I purposely parked it further down the driveway so it was not under the tree, husband drove it later and parked it back under the tree.

It didn't take long to get the odometer up to 100, it was on 15 kilometres when we got it and it clicked over to the 100 mark just as I parked at work the next day.

I need a new job -- warning rant ahead

Worked on my outfit for tomorrow's 70's party last night. I made a long vest to go over the dress I am wearing, I just have some hand stitching to go.

Was rung up this morning and asked to work today, covering for a sick employee, even though I had a lot I wanted to get done today I agreed. When I got there I walked into the office to say good morning and copped a lecture from the regional manager, about work not being completed. Needless to say I was fuming, but I knew it was coming - had told David that I fully expected to cop the blame for things not being finished. I was only transferred into this store on Monday - they were weeks behind on the yarn setup (the whole section was to be relaid and was supposed to finished 2 weeks ago. I was told that I was work in the section, it was a real mess but I have only been given 4 hour shifts, the first day I was able to concentrate most of the time in there and was told by the rostered supervisor that I had done more than what had been done over the last few days. The next lot of shifts were a write-off, was working under the Store Manager who knew that this job was a priority but wouldn't let me get started until over half way through my shift. Then she would keep calling me and stopping me from continuing - I worked beyond my cut off times. Yesterday I told her I would have to leave right on time because I had an appointment to pick up the new car.

Now the regional manager expected me to complete the work this week, work that we had completed in my last store by having a staff member in there all day - it still took us a couple of weeks. When I told her that I am only getting 4 hour shifts - she jumped in and told me that was not a good excuse and if I can't prove myself I will be transferred elsewhere. I hadn't wanted to be transferred there in the first place, but was given no choice. I've worked there before and found that most of the staff there were not competent, nor could they take responsibility for their own actions.

I was really very angry and upset, I made myself a cup of tea and had to ingest some chocolate. The Store Manager noticed and asked me if I was ok. I told her no that it seemed I was getting blamed for the situation - she told me that it was her fault. All I could think was why didn't she stick up for me during the lecture, but knowing her she was probably dropping me in it. Later on during my shift the regional manager rang up to see how much was done, I was standing right next to the store manager and clearly heard her say "to tell you the truth Cheryl hasn't even started on it yet." I hadn't had a chance to get started on it, we had been busy and the other girl I was with kept having to go sit down because she wasn't well , leaving me with lines of customers.

My old store manager asked me to work for her next Friday, I knew I had the day off so told her I didn't think it would be a problem. I mentioned it to my new store manager who then whinged that she was told she didn't have to share me. Then she told me that I was working for her that day - that they had changed my roster that morning. They hadn't told me or even put in writing on the roster so I wonder how they thought I was going to find out about it.

I don't get paid enough to put up with this and this weekend will spend lots of time searching and applying for new jobs.


Going to spend

New Car.

We finally got our new car today, it's a Hyundai Getz. We picked it up after work. It's a little sad to get rid of the old car but it was getting more and more unreliable - it stalled on the highway yesterday, while it was moving. I was glad I always keep a big distance behind other cars because once it stalls the power brakes go out too. I knew to leave it for a few moments before trying to start up - just after I got it started a nice young man on a motorbike pulled up to see if I needed help.

It felt so weird driving the new car - can't see the bonnet because of the slope. I asked the Angels for protection. On my old car I envisaged an Angel sitting on the bonnet like a big hood ornament, all I could think of was that it would slide off the steep bonnet, it now sits on the roof. It's a comforting feeling.

At every red light I explored the dashboard, working out what the switches were and setting the radio. I had been a little worried about driving it home in traffic but I handled it well, driving the 40 kms home from the car yard, avoiding the worst of the traffic. We got the car near to where I used to work, David drove home the more direct route via Parramatta Road and the Motorway. I have a couple of alternate routes I take depending on traffic reports. I took a longer, less direct route leaving just before him, I pulled into the carpark at my old job to see if my boss was there and also pulled over once on the way home and arrived moments after him .

1970's fancy dress

Next Saturday night we are attending a 1970's themed party for a brother in law's birthday. I was asked to make up the Birthday boy's costume, he chose The Bay City Rollers. All I have had to do is add tartan trim to pants and jacket, as well as iron a design onto a t shirt (this is the most daunting part, I've left it so far but it will have to be done tonight as I want to take the outfit over tomorrow night.



Husband and son have chosen to go as Skipper and Gilligan, relatively simple costumes that will be put together with bought items. I may have to make their hats if I can't find anything suitable. Tomorrow morning I will be heading to the Salvation Army store with measurements in hand, I saw perfect pants there last week but had no measurements.




Daughter's costume is put together, in fact I got home yesterday and she was wearing it. We bought her a vest from the Salvo store last week, she already had a denim mini skirt, belt and long sleeve tshirt - we need to see if my boots fit her. I still need to work on my costume, I am wearing the dress I bought last week for a whopping $16 (down from $40) but as it's got a shirred top and thin straps I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it out so I wanted to cover my shoulders. I thought about crocheting a poncho but decided last night it was too much effort, I took the balls of yarn I bought back. I found a shrug in my wardrobe, hoping it would be bolero like but didn't like it. After I finished working today I looked around the fabric section but didn't find anything suitable. I did find a pattern and fabric for a top. On the way home I went to Cabramatta, there are a few fabric shops in the main street there, I worked my way up the street after finding an ATM, I found a some black lace fabric in the last fabric shop in the street, it was opposite where I had parked - figures. Thought about making it into a poncho but have decided on a long line vest.

I am pleased that we are able to put our outfits together simply and cheaply, as well as most of the items will be wearable again for everyday clothing. I also got some check flannelette out of it to make pj pants for myself, it was all BIL could find, I picked up a better tartan for the trimming at work.

A little pampering and a new dress

The other day I discovered Yindi, a day spa in the Blue Mountains, I'd love to book in for a mud wrap or some Hydro Therapy. That is when I can spare the cost. I decided to do the next best thing and give myself a home treatment. There are a few recipes on the net but not knowing where to get the ingredients put those on the back burner, instead I went to Priceline in search of a mud mask, I found a tube for $9.99.

At home after a nice hot shower to open my pores I slavered my body with the mask, put a home made snuggie on and got into the bathtub, which I had lined with a thick blanket and then put another blanket on top. No water just blankets, I wanted to keep as warm as possible. I think I stayed there for up to half an hour. Then I filled the tub (after taking the blankets out) and got into the hot water to wash off most of the mud. After that a quick shower got rid of the rest.

It felt wonderful and will be part of my home pampering routine from now on.

Afterwards I got dressed in a very cool dress I bought from Target yesterday, I WAS after something with a 70's vibe to it for a party we've been invited to. Thought that this dress might be suitable to wear, it has a shirred bodice and has purple, pink, black, plum, white and mint green designs on it. I think it's really Bohemian, I love it. It was marked down from $40 to $20 on the tag but rang up at $16. Nice. I know winter is on it's way but I can still wear it on warmer days now and pull it out next summer.

The Boat's In!!!

We got a call yesterday to tell us the boat was in, the one that our new car is on. My bum will be in the driver's seat next week.

Happy Easter!!!! Updated

Stayed up too late last night watching Romeo and Juilet, at 1.30 I forced myself to bed, missing the last hour of the play, shhh don't tell me how it ends. It should be on again I hope, it was scheduled to show again at 8am but of course I slept in.

In my youth I was never interested in any Shakespeare, but now that I'm older it fascinates me, this is the first time I've watched Romeo and Juliet, I knew of the lines "Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo' and 'What light through yonder window breaks.............". The play was at the Globe Theatre - the only other thing I've seen shot there was an episode of Dr Who . I was fascinated and went to bed with the play running through my head, I am fascinated with not only the romance of it but the costuming as well.

When I did get up, only my son was up, the others are sleeping still so I started on the buns and made a couple of boiled eggs. The colouring didn't work so well, my eggs were too brown to take on a nice colour, even poured straight blue onto one - didn't look great at all, son refused to eat that one.

I have the bun dough in the machine rising nicely - I like that, rising nicely. The house will be filled with the aroma of fresh baked hot cross buns by the time anyone else makes an effort to get up.

Hope everyone else's Easter is as relaxing and laid back as ours.

Edit: the buns are out of the oven, the aroma must have woken everyone else up, my daughter came out and I heard hubby in the shower - they can have their breakfast Hot Cross Buns - even though it's now lunchtime.


Delicious with a cup of tea in the Singer mug I got at a training session a couple of weeks ago.



Again I feel I must emphasise that using the right ingredients makes all the difference, last time I made these they barely rose, but these are high, fluffy and light. Baker's Flour and new yeast makes all the difference. I've also learnt that yeast is best stored in the fridge or freezer and not in the pantry where I was storing it.

For perfect results, use the right ingredients.

Who'd have believed the difference using the right ingredients makes, I made another loaf today using Baker's Flour and a new packet of yeast. I found the flour in our local Franklins, 5 kilos of Wallaby Baker's Flour by Lauke. I got a soft, high loaf that was much improved on yesterdays heavy, flat loaf. Used the same recipe and baked it the same way.

No pictures, no idea where the camera is.

Baking Bread

I pulled out my breadmaker for the first time in ages, am baking up a test loaf to see how it turns out. I only had plain flour, the yeast is out of date by a couple of months and it was stored in the pantry not the freezer.

I tried proofing it, only got a little rise from it. Disappointed I tipped it out, noting that the water had gotten quite cold. I tried again with hotter water and put the jug into warm water and left it for a little while. I noted there was a little rounding and it had risen up the side of the jug. Left it longer and it really frothed up. I showed my husband, saying "It's alive" in my best Dr Frankenstein voice.

Waiting to see how the loaf turns out, my last one was a little flat. I need to source bread flour or Gluten flour to mix into plain, neither is readily available here.

Make your own Bread Flour

Mix 60g Universe Gluten Flour into 1 kilogram plain flour (white or wholemeal) or 1 teaspoon per cup of flour. Sift well to mix thoroughly.


The loaf is now out of the machine, it's still a little low, a bit better than the last time. Will need to get that Gluten Flour and new yeast, will look tomorrow. It's still tasty though. Really had the urge to get my hands into the dough, next time I will use the dough setting, then knead it myself, leave it for a second rising and then bake it in the oven. I'm even tempted to do it all by myself - my I am becoming domesticated.